Go North East has revealed a teaser of its latest campaign: Voltra.

https://twitter.com/gonortheast/status/1...6210831364

(24 Sep 2020, 2:40 pm)Dan wrote Go North East has revealed a teaser of its latest campaign: Voltra.

https://twitter.com/gonortheast/status/1...6210831364

I'd hazard a guess this will be the brand name for the electric buses.

(24 Sep 2020, 2:43 pm)Malarkey wrote I'd hazard a guess this will be the brand name for the electric buses.

Certainly sounds like it. Presume they now arrived in the UK

(24 Sep 2020, 2:46 pm)JP6004 wrote Certainly sounds like it. Presume they now arrived in the UK

Will probably be a surprise but I'm not a fan.
I just don't like the sound of it, particularly the 'tra' sound

Sent from my LM-G710 using Tapatalk

(24 Sep 2020, 2:43 pm)Malarkey wrote I'd hazard a guess this will be the brand name for the electric buses.

I'd hope it was just the campaign name and not the route brand name, but you're probably right.

(24 Sep 2020, 3:13 pm)ne14ne1 wrote I'd hope it was just the campaign name and not the route brand name, but you're probably right.

Reminds me of the class 91 and their use of Electra back in the late 80s.
The use of that name fizzled out like a low voltage light bulb.

Possible these are GNE's Yutongs and that is Voltra's base livery? just hazarding a guess because there's a green front shown in the image

(24 Sep 2020, 6:15 pm)reymyster9 wrote

Possible these are GNE's Yutongs and that is Voltra's base livery? just hazarding a guess because there's a green front shown in the image

Can’t be? No house style (road-stripe) in that livery.

(24 Sep 2020, 6:15 pm)reymyster9 wrote

Possible these are GNE's Yutongs and that is Voltra's base livery? just hazarding a guess because there's a green front shown in the image

The green strip across the front may just be coincidence but the remainder of the base livery looks like that of Nottingham City Transport.

Also the roof pod is different to the E10's/E12's that have arrived already from China for First Leeds and Newport Transport and indicates to me that of a fuel cell bus.

I like the name, but it sounds like it should be on a can of energy drink.

If it's for the Electric Saltwell Parks, it's a little gimmicky, something like "Saltwell Electrics" would get the point across just as well, but I'm not in marketing...

(24 Sep 2020, 8:43 pm)Adrian wrote I like the name, but it sounds like it should be on a can of energy drink.

Now you've mentioned it, I can totally see that!

(24 Sep 2020, 8:48 pm)deanmachine wrote If it's for the Electric Saltwell Parks, it's a little gimmicky, something like "Saltwell Electrics" would get the point across just as well, but I'm not in marketing...

I think the issue with going for Saltwell Electrics would be that it'd be a blatant rip off of Harrogate Electrics.

I think they'd be wise to play off the fact the first hydroelectric generator was built in the North East (albeit in Northumberland)

(24 Sep 2020, 9:11 pm)streetdeckfan wrote Now you've mentioned it, I can totally see that!


I think the issue with going for Saltwell Electrics would be that it'd be a blatant rip off of Harrogate Electrics.

I think they'd be wise to play off the fact the first hydroelectric generator was built in the North East (albeit in Northumberland)

The predecessor of the Metro network was called the Tyneside Electrics so it's not exactly a new thing. Only enthusiasts would make that connection with Harrogate too, I just like how it sounds.

(24 Sep 2020, 9:13 pm)deanmachine wrote The predecessor of the Metro network was called the Tyneside Electrics so it's not exactly a new thing. Only enthusiasts would make that connection with Harrogate too, I just like how it sounds.

To be fair, If it was me I'd go with Saltwell Electrics, but with the plan being to get more EVs in the future, I think they may want to go with a dedicated brand for the EVs, like they have X-Lines for the express routes.

(24 Sep 2020, 9:11 pm)streetdeckfan wrote I think the issue with going for Saltwell Electrics would be that it'd be a blatant rip off of Harrogate Electrics.

To who, like 0.01% of the population.

(24 Sep 2020, 9:16 pm)streetdeckfan wrote To be fair, If it was me I'd go with Saltwell Electrics, but with the plan being to get more EVs in the future, I think they may want to go with a dedicated brand for the EVs, like they have X-Lines for the express routes.

For the very reason that more and more routes will become electric in the future I don’t think the route name should be changed to something electric related like Voltra, Electra or whatever.
Fair enough put something on the livery about it’s green credentials and market them as so, but do customers need or want to repeatedly listen to “This is the Saltwell Electric 54 to...”, “This is the Citylink Gas Cylindered 56 to...”, or “This is the Tyne Valley Hydrogen Powered 10 to...”.

---

(24 Sep 2020, 9:34 pm)ne14ne1 wrote For the very reason that more and more routes will become electric in the future I don’t think the route name should be changed to something electric related like Voltra, Electra or whatever.
Fair enough put something on the livery about it’s green credentials and market them as so, but do customers need or want to repeatedly listen to “This is the Saltwell Electric 54 to...”, “This is the Citylink Gas Cylinder 56 to...”, or “This is the Tyne Valley Hydrogen Powered 10 to...”.

---

I think when there's just a few routes that are electric, it makes sense from a marketing perspective to get the word out, and having dedicated branding for electrics makes sense. 

For example, by launching the X-lines brand, GNE have brought quite a lot of attention to the 'expressness' (or lack of in some cases!) of routes, much more than they could have done through other forms of marketing. I think they'd want to do the same with the electrics, especially if they are still planning on having multiple electrified routes.

But for the same reason you mentioned, I personally don't like the whole 'look at me, I'm electric' type of branding that Voltra would entail (and the fact I absolutely hate the name, it just sounds awful).

Some of GNE's best brands have been where they have a local connection, and I think it would be a waste to not take advantage of the fact the North East has some history with Electricity.

(24 Sep 2020, 9:16 pm)streetdeckfan wrote To be fair, If it was me I'd go with Saltwell Electrics, but with the plan being to get more EVs in the future, I think they may want to go with a dedicated brand for the EVs, like they have X-Lines for the express routes.

To be fair, there's been a few of the brands that hsve used over the years which have been 'inspired' by other operators.
Why change now?

(24 Sep 2020, 9:11 pm)streetdeckfan wrote Now you've mentioned it, I can totally see that!


I think the issue with going for Saltwell Electrics would be that it'd be a blatant rip off of Harrogate Electrics.

I think they'd be wise to play off the fact the first hydroelectric generator was built in the North East (albeit in Northumberland)

I like local brands but I wouldn't want to see something about Hydroelectric in Gateshead, Cragside is 31 mile away and it's irrelevant and means nothing to no-one local to that area. If you really want to go down that route Joseph Swan (incandescant light bulb) would be a better person as his house was in Gateshead and he has heavy Newcastle links.

Won't comment on Voltra though until there's more shown as there's not much to judge tbh.

(24 Sep 2020, 10:19 pm)Storx wrote I like local brands but I wouldn't want to see something about Hydroelectric in Gateshead, Cragside is 31 mile away and it's irrelevant and means nothing to no-one local to that area. If you really want to go down that route Joseph Swan (incandescant light bulb) would be a better person as his house was in Gateshead and he has heavy Newcastle links.

Won't comment on Voltra though until there's more shown as there's not much to judge tbh.

Exactly, there are quite a few connections to Electricity up here (pun very much intended), I was just using that as an example as it's the first one I thought of.

(24 Sep 2020, 10:44 pm)streetdeckfan wrote Exactly, there are quite a few connections to Electricity up here (pun very much intended), I was just using that as an example as it's the first one I thought of.

Ah that's fair was thinking it's probably not the best to brand electric buses with a hydro electric brand when you can hydrogen fuel cell buses (bit conflicting).

(24 Sep 2020, 9:16 pm)streetdeckfan wrote To be fair, If it was me I'd go with Saltwell Electrics, but with the plan being to get more EVs in the future, I think they may want to go with a dedicated brand for the EVs, like they have X-Lines for the express routes.

Saltwell Electrics, similar to Harrogate Electrics, sounds like a 2nd hand electrical goods shop.

Sent from my SM-G965F using Tapatalk

(24 Sep 2020, 10:57 pm)Adrian wrote Saltwell Electrics, similar to Harrogate Electrics, sounds like a 2nd hand electrical goods shop.

Sent from my SM-G965F using Tapatalk

Now you mention that, it kind of reminds me of the 'Heat Electric' campaign from the 90s, which whilst being made before me, are some of my favourite TV ads.

---

(24 Sep 2020, 10:52 pm)Storx wrote Ah that's fair was thinking it's probably not the best to brand electric buses with a hydro electric brand when you can hydrogen fuel cell buses (bit conflicting).

Doing a bit of research, it looks like Joseph Swan was approached to illuminate the lake in Saltwell Park, but he never responded. It's a shame because that would have made for some excellent branding for EVs!

Will there be quick charge points installed at Heworth, Gateshead Interchanges for these buses when waiting during long turnarounds. The 58 definitely sits at heworth for a bit.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/uUMFXbAtusSfyyebA
https://maps.app.goo.gl/1kYEXBn2DitA63tF7

(25 Sep 2020, 11:52 am)ASX_Terranova wrote Will there be quick charge points installed at Heworth, Gateshead Interchanges for these buses when waiting during long turnarounds. The 58 definitely sits at heworth for a bit.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/uUMFXbAtusSfyyebA
https://maps.app.goo.gl/1kYEXBn2DitA63tF7

There shouldn't really need to be providing the buses have adequate range. Plus, quick charging degrades the battery quicker than a slower, overnight charge.
They're the same as a mobile phone, you should only charge it to 80% and never let it run flat.

Sure I read somewhere, that they'll be more information next week about it.. along with a picture of the buses in the brand..... I want to know how they got them in to SM without any bus spotter taking photo's and leaking them online, they must of arrived in middle of the night haha

(24 Sep 2020, 9:47 pm)streetdeckfan wrote I think when there's just a few routes that are electric, it makes sense from a marketing perspective to get the word out, and having dedicated branding for electrics makes sense. 

For example, by launching the X-lines brand, GNE have brought quite a lot of attention to the 'expressness' (or lack of in some cases!) of routes, much more than they could have done through other forms of marketing. I think they'd want to do the same with the electrics, especially if they are still planning on having multiple electrified routes.

But for the same reason you mentioned, I personally don't like the whole 'look at me, I'm electric' type of branding that Voltra would entail (and the fact I absolutely hate the name, it just sounds awful).

Some of GNE's best brands have been where they have a local connection, and I think it would be a waste to not take advantage of the fact the North East has some history with Electricity.

Xlines is, of course, the modern day "Expresslink" network.

---

(25 Sep 2020, 5:47 pm)Michael wrote Sure I read somewhere, that they'll be more information next week about it.. along with a picture of the buses in the brand..... I want to know how they got them in to SM without any bus spotter taking photo's and leaking them online, they must of arrived in middle of the night haha

I'm sure they will be in Castleford! 
(at dealer Pelican)

(25 Sep 2020, 12:01 pm)streetdeckfan wrote There shouldn't really need to be providing the buses have adequate range. Plus, quick charging degrades the battery quicker than a slower, overnight charge.
They're the same as a mobile phone, you should only charge it to 80% and never let it run flat.

Is that still the case?    I thought that new battery technology had done away with that

---

I wonder if GNE are regretting their choice of purchasing Yutongs now?

Due to the current pandemic and the economic fall out going with a British company would have been a much better choice

(26 Sep 2020, 2:22 am)Bazza wrote Is that still the case?    I thought that new battery technology had done away with that

---

I wonder if GNE are regretting their choice of purchasing Yutongs now?

Due to the current pandemic and the economic fall out going with a British company would have been a much better choice

I believe so, unless they're using a different battery tech. Even the likes of the Porsche Taycan only give the user about 80% of the battery, with the latter part being reserved for when the battery degrades so the range doesn't reduce.

I personally thought the E200EV was much better quality than the Yutongs, the demo they had running on the X66 felt like it was about to fall to bits, the E200 on the other hand was remarkably rattle free for an ADL!

Sent from my LM-G710 using Tapatalk

(24 Sep 2020, 6:44 pm)Malarkey wrote The green strip across the front may just be coincidence but the remainder of the base livery looks like that of Nottingham City Transport.

Also the roof pod is different to the E10's/E12's that have arrived already from China for First Leeds and Newport Transport and indicates to me that of a fuel cell bus.

Don't believe Yutong make a fuel cell bus that looks like an E10/E12 and if they did wouldnt the roof be alot taller? not sure though.